...so when someone achieves the feat twice over, they have to be very special.
Waringstown all rounder Kyle McCallan certainly fits the bill, and everyone associated with Irish cricket will congratulate this remarkable young sportsman, not just for this magnificent achievement, but for the dedication and sportsmanship he continues to show. Kyle is certainly a role model for any aspiring young cricketer, and what a tremendous ambassador he has been to local cricket on and off the field.
Perhaps we should have known his fairytale ride in Irish cricket was destined to have a silver lining, even if Kyle himself never harboured such lofty ambitions when he made his full Ireland debut in June 1996. Twelve years down the line and Kyle has not only lived the dream, he has made a huge contribution to the greatest years in Irish cricket. He is the most capped Ireland player of all time, the top all rounder, and is currently in the top four of aggregate wickets and runs. It seems highly probable he could top all three ratings if he plays for another few years.
Kyle entered the full international arena with an excellent pedigree in the Mike Hendrick era, and into a changing team where a number of the veterans of the nineties were retiring. He took a wicket with the first ball he bowled against Wales, and barely two weeks later he scored his first century against MCC at Malahide. In those days he was primarily an opening batsman who could bowl, but as the modern game changed, Kyle moved with the times and in the past decade he has become one of the best ODI specialists in the Associate countries. Indeed there are many people who feel he could have made the grade at the highest level, and given his performances at the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, he was certainly up there with the best in world cricket. Not surprisingly, the World Cup experience ranks as his greatest memory to date, and typically he pays a handsome tribute to his fellow players:
“The entire World Cup experience was something I dreamed off as a kid but never really felt it could come true. The win over Pakistan was the highlight, but the Bangladesh win was the most satisfying as we had targeted that match in the Super Eights and we played really well on the day. The team spirit in the squad was our strength and it showed throughout that unforgettable World Cup journey.”
Kyle has achieved every honour in the game, and can deservedly take his place alongside the finest players in the history of Irish cricket. He’s still only 33 and he could go on to set further records, as his ambition and drive remain as strong as ever. He is at the peak of his prowess in the current team, and like the rest of the squad, he is motivated by the prospects of Twenty20 World Cup in England next year and playing his part in taking the Irish game to a higher level.
It all seems light years away from his Cliftonville days when club coach John Solanky gave him the expert grounding to improve his game, and his parents and uncle Robin provided the support and encouragement from home. Kyle is quick to pay tribute to his family and to all the coaches that he has worked with, but he has a special place for former Ireland coach Adi Birrell;
“I have to single out Adi Birrell as a special person in my cricket career as he not only helped to develop me on the field, but he also shaped my perceptions off it. I will always hold him in the highest regard.”
Birrell’s professional approach to Irish cricket had a profound effect on all the players that played under him, and the high standards he expected have become an integral part of the modern Ireland set-up. Kyle is the perfect example of a talented cricketer that reached international level, but who lifted himself to another level though his dedication, professionalism and commitment. It is players like him that have lifted Irish cricket to such a high level in the modern era. Typically he has plenty of ambition and drive to rise to even greater heights and that extends to club cricket as well. He would be the first to admit his decision to leave Cliftonville and play for Waringstown was a huge wrench after 17 years with the club, but the logistics of traveling from his new home in Portadown made it impractical. Joining the Villagers also gave him a new challenge and motivation, and while he has achieved a lot for the club in a short time, he’s 100% committed to keeping Waringstown at the top of local cricket, with winning the Irish Senior Cup a major personal goal.
And who could deny him? Kyle McCallan is certainly a very special cricketer, and there’s still a lot more to be written about him after his 200th cap!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
